Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus
(Glyndebourne, 2003)

Cast: Pamela Armstrong (Rosalinde), Thomas Allen (Eisenstein), Lyubov Petrova (Adele), Malena Erman (Orlofsky), Håkan Hagegård (Falke), Ragnar Ulfung (Dr. Blind), Pär Lindskog (Alfred), Artur Korn (Frank), Udo Samel (Frosch); London Philharmonic Orchestra, Glyndebourne Chorus, Vladimir Jurowski (conductor), Stephen Lawless (director), Francesca Kemp (video director)

Recorded at Glyndebourne 27 July 2003

Issued on DVD by BBC Opus Arte in 2004 [OA 0889D, PAL/all regions, menus in English, subtitles in English, French, Dutch, Spanish]

Technical details
Aspect ratio 16:9
Sound PCM Stereo; DTS 5.1

Running time: 164 minutes

Sung in German
This recording lacks only one element to be recommended highly: Schwung. That ineffable quality - not quite swing, not only style - is missing, perhaps due to the mix of cultures behind the performances. To be precise, there is Schwung, but only in the waltz accompanying the curtain calls; for that, Jurowski leaves the podium for Udo Samel (otherwise playing Frosch) and the difference is unmistakable.

It is impossible to cite substantial faults otherwise. The unit set serves well in a modification of traditional setting. Use of the Ur-text (critical edition) is commendable, but the additions are not substantial. Allen, Armstrong and Erman are very fine; Erman's mezzo with baritone undertones is a particular pleasure. Petrova is not an ideal choice, playing Adele wide-eyed and lacking crispness in her colorature. Additional stage business is relatively modest in quantity and contrast, though whether it will be to your taste cannot be predicted. Everything else works, but comparison with the curtain calls, let alone with alternative recordings, explains why this performance feels long.

Video is flawless: crisp and well lighted. Audio is clear and full-range; there is a plus from surround in orchestra reproduction. The supplements are substantial and of interest (German subtitles are also available for them); one, Frosch's interlude between Acts II and III is included in the timing of the opera given above.
 
Related website:
BBC Opus Arte: www.opusarte.com/

Michael Richter, 17 November 2004
mrichter@cpl.net
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.